Endings and Beginnings: the In-Between Time

For universities these few spring months are the in-between time.

The last class of many courses will occur at the end of April for most Georgetown programs. So, quite rapidly now, the hours spent studying, editing theses and dissertations, finalizing group projects, and reviewing weeks of content, are all increasing in volume. The rate of writing production is rising as final papers and projects are finalized. Everybody is burrowed into the final focus that is required to complete the semester. Increasingly, every study space on campus is occupied. The late hours of the libraries see higher occupancies. Bleary eyes seem more prevalent. Coffee consumption rises.

As the days of April pass, faculty, students, and staff are increasingly fatigued, but all see the end in sight. In about a month and a half, about 7,000 students will receive diplomas in various commencement ceremonies. Their labors will be justified with successful completion of their degree programs.

While all this effort is going on, however, while the focus of existing students is increasingly to finish their courses and degrees, while this frenetic pace of scholarship is occurring, there is a completely different set of activities happening on campus.

As some students are working to leave Georgetown, others are considering coming to replace them.

That is, this is also the time that admissions’ decisions are being made for both undergraduate and graduate applicants. To all admits, we invite a visit to campus to assist in their decision. Many take advantage of this offer to see the facilities and meet faculty and staff. But, maybe even more important, their visit is a chance to meet other students who were also newly admitted to a degree program.

For graduate students, the entering cohort of many programs often becomes a life-long professional network. The cohort can help each other navigate through their graduate program. Study groups form to share the learning challenges and take advantage of different life experiences in puzzling through the work of the program. After graduation, many cohorts get together at professional conferences. They become readers and editors of each other’s written products. They recommend each other for jobs over their careers. So, it matters whether the ambitions of other admits seem compatible with one’s own. Ideally, they will know something one doesn’t. They will have life experiences that complement one’s own.

For undergraduates, we offer three different Georgetown Admissions Ambassador Program (GAAP) weekends. GAAP is a volunteer, student-run organization dedicated to helping prospective and accepted students discover Georgetown. Newly admitted undergraduate prospects often come to GAAP weekends with their families. They hear from both students and administrators. They learn about student services, clubs, and the advising dean services they will enjoy. During the weekend, there are department open houses, student panels, residence hall tours, sporting events, and other opportunities to learn about Georgetown. They can get a feel of what living on the Hilltop might be for them. Some may even form quick friendships that turn into roommates or shared majors.

These visits at both the undergraduate and graduate level appear to increase the likelihood of accepting the admission offer Georgetown has extended. They give a more grounded basis of the choice life is giving the student. Of course, at Georgetown in April, it doesn’t hurt that the trees are budding, the flowers are blooming, and the campus is displaying its charms. The impressions of these new admits, albeit the product of a brief visit, are important to a university. I’m confident that the good aspects of the Georgetown community shine at this time. As we say farewell to graduates in the coming days, we welcome into our community new members and look forward to their enrichment of Georgetown University.